Summer is the time of year most eagerly awaited for enjoying the open air, go on family getaways and spend long days playing play on the beach or at the swimming pool. However, for the parents, this season also triggers a state of constant alert. Prolonged exposure to the sun, the fear of skin burns, dehydration or the classic fear of the disruptions to digestion tend to mar the family’s rest. Of all these concerns, there is one that stands out due to its rapidity and severity: the impact of high temperatures on the body of the very youngest. The question is clear: how can we prevent heatstroke in heatstroke in children this summer?
LA GRAN INQUIETUD ESTIVAL: EL MIEDO INVISIBLE A LOS PELIGROS DEL SOL
For an adult, a day of extreme heat can be simply uncomfortable. However, in childhood, high temperatures constitute a risk to physical health, which is immediate and can progress rapidly. Ensuring child safety in summer becomes becomes an absolute priority for families, who often feel anxious about invisible dangers. Is the child properly hydrated? Is it safe to play in the park at this time? Are we applying sun protection correctly? This constant concern a55> can prevent us from enjoying our family holidays to the full to the full.
THE SILENT DANGER: WHY DOES THE HEAT AFFECT CHILDREN’S BODIES MORE?
The real risk of heat stress is that, in children, progresses in a silent manner. Physiologically, the system of thermoregulation in a child under the age of six years is still not fully developed: they have a lower rate of sweating and a higher ratio of surface -to-body-area ratio than compared to those adults. This causes their body temperature to rise by three to five times faster than.
Ignoring the early signs or downplaying a child’s listlessness by thinking that ‘they’re just tired from playing’ can quickly lead to heatstroke in children. As warned by the Spanish Paediatric Association (AEP), this is a serious medical emergency that requires an immediate response to prevent severe dehydration or multi-system damage. This is not about causing alarm. It is about understanding that extreme heat is a real physical risk factor and that active prevention is the only effective way to avoid an emergency hospital admission.
KEY POINTS AND GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHCARE TO ENSURE CHILDREN’S SAFETY IN SUMMER.
To mitigate these risks and act with complete peace of mind, we offer a protocol for prevention and response to high temperatures:
- Hydration on a regular basis and proactively: Children of pre-school age rarely ask a9> ask for water on their own initiative if they are playing. We should offer them water that is cool or foods with a high water content such as (such as melon or watermelon) every 20–30 minutes. You should avoid sugary soft drinks or carbonated drinks, as they hinder the proper absorption of fluids at the cellular level.
- Observe the thermal safety zone: Avoid direct exposure to the sun and activities that are physically strenuous outdoors between 12:00 and 16:00 hours. During this period, prioritise play that is calm in air-conditioned indoor a22> or areas with dense natural shade.
- Effective physical and chemical sun protection: Apply sunscreen with a broad spectrum (SPF 50+) 30 minutes before you leave the house and reapply the sunscreen every two hours without fail or immediately after each bath (or immediately after each bath). The use of caps with a wide brim and sunglasses with approved UV filter UV filter is essential for protecting the eye area and the central nervous system.
- The myth of ‘digestion’ (Syncopation due to truncation): More than the process digestive process itself, the danger lies in the thermal shock (entering from plunge into cold water whilst the body is very hot). Teach your children to wet the back of their necks, their wrists and stomach before going underwater completely.
HOW TO RECOGNISE AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A HEATSTROKE?
Symptoms of alarm
- Body temperature above 40 °C with skin that is red, hot and notably dry (absence of sweat).
- Headache, severe, intense, dizziness, nausea or vomiting repeatedly.
- Extreme irritability, mental confusion or drowsiness profound and difficulty in waking up.
How should we act from now?
- Call immediately on 112.
- Move the child to a cool, shaded and well-ventilated place (preferably with air conditioning).
- Remove the excess clothing and wrap them in cloths soaked in water that is lukewarm water (never cold or ice-cold, to prevent shivering which could raise their temperature even further) on the head, neck, armpits and groin.
- If they are conscious, give them some water to drink cool in small and slow sips. Never give them any liquids if they are semi-conscious.
CASVI URBAN CAMP: THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE, AIR-CONDITIONED AND SUPERVISED THAT YOUR FAMILY NEEDS
Ensuring protection physical, adequate hydration and supervision at all times of the children whilst they trying to balance work life during the months of July and August can lead to a huge strain on the parents. At the Casvi International School Villaviciosa we believe that family peace of mind is based on trust.
That is why our Casvi Urban Camp has rigorous health and safety protocols in place at all times. In our state-of-the-art, air-conditioned facilities, children enjoy a summer packed with sports, swimming and creative workshops under the supervision of qualified instructors. We strictly regulate outdoor play times, ensure children stay well hydrated at all times, and make sure every activity takes place in the shade during the hours of peak UV radiation. It’s the perfect solution for them to enjoy a refreshing and safe summer, whilst you get on with your working day with complete peace of mind.
Do you want to ensure a summer full of fun, cool and with the highest standards of medical care for your children?